As early as 1992, the Torpedo company of Rijeka, Croatia, was awarded a contract to design, develop and manufacture a 4 × 4 light armoured personnel carrier (APC) for the Croatian Army (HV) whose basic design could be used for a wide range of other roles with the minimum of modification. First production vehicles were completed by RH ALAN in 1993.

These vehicles are called the LOV with the APC model being the LOV - OP (Opce Potpore - Transporter APC) whose existence was first revealed during a military parade held in Croatia in mid-1995. This has a crew of two and can carry 10 fully equipped troops.

The LOV is based on the chassis of the locally manufactured Torpedo TK - 130 T-7 (4 × 4) cross-country truck. As well as being used as a cargo truck the Torpedo TK-130 T-7 truck can also be used to tow artillery and other weapons up to a maximum weight of 2,500 kg.

By using standard commercial automotive components in the design of the LOV series, research, development, production and total life cycle costs have been kept to a minimum.

By mid-2007 there were no exports of the RH ALAN LOV family of 4 × 4 light armoured vehicles. The basic armoured personnel carrier is called the LOV-OP in Croatia and the Description section relates to this model.

Recent information has indicated that the LOV series of 4 × 4 light armoured vehicles was not built in large numbers with perhaps about 50 vehicles built.

The LOV series of vehicles has a hull of all-welded steel armour which provides protection from 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm API (Armour Piercing Incendiary) small arms fire from a range of 30 m, shell splinters from a range of 40 m and anti-personnel mines. Some models have additional hull protection against more powerful mines.

The driver is seated at the front left with a bulletproof window to his front, which is provided with a windscreen wiper and an additional bulletproof window either side.

Above the driver's position, which is raised slightly above the hull top for improved visibility, is a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the front.

The commander is seated to the right and has a rectangular roof hatch that opens to the rear and to his immediate front is a day periscope, which can be traversed left and right.

In each side of the hull, to the side of the driver and commander, is a single forward-opening door, which is not provided with any observation or firing devices.

The power pack, which consists of a Deutz model BT6L 912S turbocharged air-cooled diesel engine coupled to a ZF model Z5-35S manual transmission and two-speed transfer case, is mounted towards the front of the vehicle below and between the commander's and driver's positions.

Suspension consists of leaf springs and hydraulic shock-absorbers which are attached to the hull by rubber cushions.

A winch with 38 m of 10 mm diameter cable and a capacity of 50 kN is fitted and this leads to the front of the vehicle and can be used for self-recovery or for recovering other damaged and disabled vehicles.

The troop compartment is at the rear with the troops entering and leaving via two doors in the rear that open outwards with the right door having a spare wheel and tyre and the left door a firing port.

In each side of the hull is a single firing port and a small rectangular window, which can be covered by a shutter. Over the top of the troop compartment are two roof hatches that open left and right.

Armament consists of a .50 (12.7 mm) machine gun with the gunner being provided with lateral and rear protection. Eight 82 mm electrically operated grenade launchers are also fitted.

Standard equipment includes a central tyre pressure-regulation system that allows the driver to adjust the tyre pressure between 0.45 and 0.70 bar to suit the type of terrain being crossed. The tyres also have a run-flat device that enables the vehicle to travel a distance of up to 50 km when the tyres are damaged by small arms fire.

It is also fitted with an engine independent heating and ventilation system and adjustable steering column.

A wide range of optional equipment can be fitted including an air conditioning system, intercom, various communications systems, electric winch, NBC ventilation system, additional sound- and waterproofing equipment.

An auxiliary power unit can be fitted if required, especially when the vehicle has additional communications equipment or electrical equipment requiring additional power.

This is an armoured personnel carrier and can carry five troops plus its crew.

The reconnaissance member of the family is called the LOV-IZV and is also fitted with a roof-mounted .50 (12.7 mm) machine gun and grenade launchers. It has additional communications equipment as well as an eight-barrel 60 mm rocket launcher, 20 mm RT-20 anti-matériel rifle and 40 mm grenade launcher.

This has a six-man crew and additional communications equipment and field telephone switchboard with 10 channels. It also has soundproof insulation, an air conditioning system and a 2.5 kW generator.

For the NBC reconnaissance role the LOV-ABK version has been developed and this is fitted with equipment to detect radioactive radiation and chemical agents. It is fitted with a collective protection filter and ventilation equipment.

This is the LOV APC with its hull rear cut down and fitted with a 128 mm (24-round) multiple rocket launcher. Full details of the RH ALAN 128 mm (24-round) LOV-RAK 24/12 self-propelled rocket launcher are given in the Multiple Rocket Launchers section.

The upguided surface-to-surface rockets can be launched from within the vehicle, or from outside with the remote-control device. As far as it is known, neither this nor any other variants of the LOV family have so far been exported.

This is fitted with an extensive range of jamming equipment with a large externally roof-mounted antenna.